WARDC engages religious, traditional leaders on preventable maternal deaths

By Ijeoma Thomas-Odia
…Seek policies to end SGBV, VAWG in Lagos
 
To enhance the voices of women in Lagos to lead advocacy and demand accountability on preventable maternal deaths as well as adequate policies to end violence against women and girls, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), held a high-level meeting with religious and traditional leaders to address these concerns.
 
The two-day meeting held in Lagos with the support of Amplify Change is currently implementing Project Enhance focused on improving the sexual and reproductive health of women following the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.
 
In her welcome address, the Founding Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said that the impact of religious and traditional leaders is crucial to shaping cultural and social norms. “We recognise that your influence can be a powerful force for change. We know that violence against women and girls is a pervasive issue, perpetuated by harmful gender stereotypes, social norms, and power imbalances.
 
“In our ongoing efforts to advocate for laws and policies to end domestic violence and promote the sexual and reproductive health rights of women, we recognise the importance of collaboration with our cultural gatekeepers that are committed to the well-being of women.
 
“Hence, we believe through our collective efforts, we can challenge harmful practices, promote positive change, and ensure that women and girls receive the support and services they need,” Akiyode-Afolabi added.
  
Speaking on the misconceptions of the suspended safe termination guideline, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode stated that the guideline doesn’t give anyone the liberty to engage in abortion, but focuses on the consequences and impact on women’s reproductive health.
 
She further noted that with the high death rate associated with unsafe abortion, there is a need for joint efforts, and collaboration to send the right message of the guideline to communities rather than the misconception.
 
“Whether we like it or not, people are dying from it, so as much we are saying, nobody should go into it, finding ways to balance is the issue, and making sure that this band is lifted and understanding why it needs to be lifted.”
 
A religious leader, Rev. Joe Ihitegbulem stated that the meeting has given him a clearer understanding of the misconceptions and educated him on the accurate details of the guidelines. “We have been better informed to speak to our people, sometimes what we do is give counsel when we are supposed to be passing the right information to people on the need for family planning methods to improve maternal advocacy in Lagos state.”
 
For Iyalode of Ikeja, Princess Idayat Folashade, lamented the level of unwanted pregnancies young girls are challenged with in her community while seeking adequate help to curb the culture.